Venture through Civitavecchia, noted for its fine seafood and beautiful monuments. Then, travel to the Eternal City of Rome, with more than 2,500 years of history and ancient landmarks that will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

As your ship approaches the Sorrento Peninsula, delight in craggy cliffs draped with flowing pink blossoms.Renowned for its serene way of life, this romantic port exudes a special magic. Its dramatic bluffs and surrounding flowered hills bid travelers welcome to a town overflowing with charm and character. It is easy to relax in this languid southern Italian atmosphere.The sensational Amalfi Coast and the haunting ruins at Pompeii are among the region's highlights.

Winding alleys, gracious piazzas and glorious architecture represent a timeline of several millennia. Founded in 734 BC by the Greeks, the city was a major influencer in the spread of Judaism and Christianity and brims with world-class examples of Greek, Roman and Baroque architecture awash with Italian character. The entire city of Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Shaped like a scythe, the island of Corfu is considered one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets. Its lush interior is covered in cypress and olive trees while the main downtown area has elegant Venetian architecture and a serene atmosphere. Strategically important due to its location, this island has managed to maintain its uniqueness despite numerous invasions by outside forces. Today, the culture of Corfu reflects its turbulent past as well as its origins.

Few places in the world boast such clear architectural accounts of their full histories as does UNESCO-listed Kotor and its bay. Roam the city squares and enjoy sweeping ocean views as you follow footsteps through time, including fortifications dating from the 9th century, significant churches and cathedrals from the 12th-15th centuries, the 17th-century Prince’s Palace and the 19th-century Napoleon’s Theatre.

Celebrated as one of the best sailing areas in the world, Zadar is blessed with beautiful natural surroundings, mild winters and warm summers. Bordered by four national parks – the untouched Kornati Islands, the breathtaking Velebit mountains, the winding Krka River and the peaceful Plitvice Lakes - all ideal for hiking, boating, climbing and even skiing.

Ravenna is a city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It's known for the colorful mosaics adorning many of its central buildings, like the octagonal Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. North of the center, the Mausoleo di Teodorico built in the 6th century for King Theodoric the Great, is a Gothic, circular stone tomb with a monolithic dome.

Ravenna is a city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It's known for the colorful mosaics adorning many of its central buildings, like the octagonal Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. North of the center, the Mausoleo di Teodorico built in the 6th century for King Theodoric the Great, is a Gothic, circular stone tomb with a monolithic dome.

In and around the bustling seaport of Trieste are several sights boasting the description of the "world's largest." Not far from the city, for instance, is the famous Grotta Gigante, the largest single-room cavern open to the public. But you needn't venture beyond the beautiful city to experience such an impressive space. In the heart of the city you will find the neoclassic Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, the largest sea-bordering square in Italy.As for smaller pleasures, Trieste is a haven for antiques shoppers, who will relish shops filled with Biedermeier and Italian Art Nouveau furniture. A much sought-after candy store, La Bomboniera, offers fine chocolates and exquisite pastries. Of course there is what the locals do, daily if possible: sip a cappuccino in a café and then stroll along Trieste's elegant avenues.

Though it has only recently re-emerged as an independent nation, Croatia is by no means a new country. There were settlements along the Dalmatian Coast before recorded time. When Slavic people migrated here in the 6th century, they converted to Catholicism and adopted the local Latin alphabet. The region eventually became part of the powerful Kingdom of Croatia. Medieval Dubrovnik, formerly the Republic of Ragusa, was one of several walled cities established in the 7th century to guard the coastal approaches. Its fortification was completed in the 13th century and has remained relatively unchanged. The city walls are in excellent condition and today prevent invasion by automobiles. Within the walls, the lovely sleek lines of Venetian-style buildings complement a wealth of ancient stone architecture. Nearby islands feature beautiful beaches as well as intriguing ancient ruins.

Shaped like a scythe, the island of Corfu is considered one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets. Its lush interior is covered in cypress and olive trees while the main downtown area has elegant Venetian architecture and a serene atmosphere. Strategically important due to its location, this island has managed to maintain its uniqueness despite numerous invasions by outside forces. Today, the culture of Corfu reflects its turbulent past as well as its origins.

Tethered to southern Greece's mainland village of Gefyra by a causeway, Monemvasia rises above the sapphire-blue waters of the Aegean Sea looking like a giant slab of rock, and is often called the Gibraltar of the East. Its medieval Lower Town, encircled by ancient fortress walls, boasts an array of shops and restaurants. Crowning the islet is the Upper Town, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. It is also home to the 12th-century St. Sophia Church.

Of all the Cyclades Islands, Santorini is often considered the most dramatic. Once an active volcano, it was known as Stongyle, or the Round Island. In about 1500 BC, the volcano erupted with such force that the center of the island literally exploded, leaving the haunting submerged crater into which Crystal Serenity sails. The island's small villages were preserved in the ashes and recent excavations have uncovered a fascinating view of everyday life from 3,500 years ago. Santorini's dark landscape offsets its simple, yet refined Cycladic buildings, which glimmer in the sunlight. The rich volcanic soil is ideal for grapes and the local vines produce a cherished crop known for its "special volcanic taste." Thíra, or Fira Town, is laid out along the edge of a cliff that partially forms the rim of the now extinct caldera. A picturesque site, it exudes charm and an atmosphere of leisure that can be attributed to the easy-going Greek lifestyle.

Today, its Old Town is alive with contemporary shops and traditional bazaars that teem with locals and visitors, surrounded by lively cafés. But this charming “old” quarter is infantile compared to one of Bodrum’s most important sites: the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Dating back to 350 B.C., the 140-foot white marble structure still captivates even the savviest scientists, ranking as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The island nation of Malta is a treasure trove of cultures. Valletta, its fortified main city, rises dramatically from the water. This "City of Knights," a monument to the past, was founded in 1566 by the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. Sights not to be missed include the Magisterial Palace and St. John's Cathedral, which is lavishly decorated with the coats of arms and banners of the crusading knights. Beyond Valletta, the countryside, although austere and rocky, has a special charm. Malta provides an enduring fascination for all visitors.

Trapani is a city in western Sicily with a crescent-shaped coastline. At the western tip, offering views as far as the Aegadian Islands, is the 17th-century Torre di Ligny watchtower. It houses the Museo di Preistoria e del Mare, with archeological artifacts. North of the harbor, the Chiesa del Purgatorio church holds wooden sculptures that are paraded around the city during Easter’s Processione dei Misteri.

Venture through Civitavecchia, noted for its fine seafood and beautiful monuments. Then, travel to the Eternal City of Rome, with more than 2,500 years of history and ancient landmarks that will leave you with memories for a lifetime.